A Burrito Bashing

This past weekend, I succumbed to the effervescent lure of Chipotle's. I am always up for a quality burrito, and they are usually hard to screw up. Chipotle's is a chain of Tex-Mex style food which is touted as "Gourmet Burrito's and Tacos". With a plethora of burrito joints in South Florida, would Chipotle measure up to it's competition? I'm afraid not.

When you enter the place, it is striking with its brushed steel and cherry wood decorations. The pigmented cement floor and the ergonomic rolling garbage cans are all extremely attractive and make for an inviting wait in line. The Generation Y staff was enthusiastic and aimed to please. They definitely had the right attitude.

They offer up the 4 basic types of meat (pork, steak, chicken, shredded beef), as either a burrito, taco, salad or fajita. Then add your choice of black or red (pinto) beans, and some plain white rice. As you move down the assembly line you are offered 4 toppings, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and cheese. They do offer one small spoon of fresh guacamole for an additional $1.50. They are lacking in additional toppings. Where is the fresh or pickled jalapenos? No lemons or limes? No cilantro? No onions?? No salsa bar? Forget about the cucumbers and olives. This is where they really fail the test.

Onward to the table, and lets eat! The chicken burrito we ordered was just okay, the chicken was on the dry side, and the rice was very bland, and tasteless. The chicken salad was similarly dull. The high point of the meal was the guacamole. We ordered the guacamole and chips for a nominal charge of $2.50. The guacamole had a a nice texture and was fresh. The chips on the other hand, were inedible. They were cooked with so much salt that they were impossible to chew and swallow.

Overall, I was not impressed with Chipotle's, Their web site touts 114 positive reviews and gives the impression of gourmet dining. I would not recommend eating here with so many good and great options available such as Moe's. If they got their act together, the place has potential. Unfortunately, they get the proverbial "Thumbs Down" today. Give Chipotle's a pass. If you have not read my review of Moe's click here for a great Tex Mex gastronomic experience.

Where's the Beef?

For those who have not discovered the cornucopia of restaurants in the Downtown Hollywood area, I recommend a trip to explore the newly renovated area. There are several noteworthy restaurants; however, let's stick to the beef for today.

Beefeater's is located at 1902 Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of downtown. The ambiance is Argentinian, and Latin. The specialty of the house is the churrasco or skirt steak. I went for the executive lunch last week and was pleasantly surprised by their executive lunch special priced at $6.99. This includes a foot long plus churrasco, salad, and one side. You will not walk away hungry.

The service was very good and we were started with a piping hot basket of rolls and a glass of bottomless ice tea for starters. The salad that followed was basic, but tasty with it's bleu cheese dressing. It was time for the main attraction, the churrasco. Homemade chimichurri was placed on the table and the steak screams to be doused in the green confection. The sides were mashed potatoes (regular and sweet), rice and beans, baked potato or vegetables. The steak was ordered medium rare and served medium rare. The steak was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly.

One may believe that Beefeater's lunch prices are too low for them to maintain their business. Before you think them into bankruptcy, last time I was there for dinner, they also serve free beer at the bar if there is a wait. The dinner prices are very reasonable, albeit not the bargain of the executive lunch special. You can be sure, the beef is right here at Beefeater's.

The Best Thai

It's been a while since I visited Panya Thai on 163rd Street and 6th Avenue in North Miami Beach. This hole in the wall, is right next door the original Krispy Kreme. Being a Thai fanatic, there are very few Thai places that can do it right. Panya Thai is one of them.

The place has been fixed up and redecorated sine my last visit and is, well, very Thai'ish. The service staff seem to live in the place as they always seem to be on duty. They are very friendly, and are light on the English, heavy on the Thai. The first thing I notice when I arrive is the number of presumably Thai locals eating here. This is always a good sign.

Everything here is made to order, and the soups are no exception. The Tom Yum Ka (chicken) or Tom Yum Goong (shrimp) are the winners. If you like coconut milk, order the Tom Yum Gai, One note here, the food here is generally on the hot side. Medium is hot. Hot is fire. I order mine mild, and add the supplied spice powder to taste.

For appetizers, the Chicken Larb Gai, is a fusion of fish sauce, red onion, lettuce, rice powder, scallions, and cilantro. It is scrumptious. The Jumping Shrimp are excellent and the Beef Tiger Tear is also a winner.

The staple of the Thai Restaurant are the curries. Panya offers: Red, Green, Panang, Massaman, and Secret Night. All can be had with chicken, beef, pork, or tofu. The Red Curry here is the one that others should strive to be. The Panang Curry has a slightly more peanut taste than the red, and the Secret Night has fried egg in it. All are served with white rice. Also a staple is the Pad Thai. It is served just right with the freshest ingredients. I usually get the chicken or shrimp. They are very generous with their portions and heavy on the chicken or shrimp in all their dishes.

Let me mention the lunch specials here. For $7.95 you can order one of sixteen dishes including any of the curries or Pad Thai. It comes with rice and a salad with that all too famous peanut dressing.

Having eaten Thai food in the South Pacific, and all across South Florida, I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. It is the best Thai Food I have eaten in South Florida and savor any visit there. Don't wait and don't keep eating sub par Thai Food. Go to Panya Thai.

Is Europa in Europe?

I had lunch with a co-worker today at Cafe Europa on Las Olas Boulevard. This staple of "The Boulevard" has been around for a number of years. The location is par excellence. Right on the main drag of Las Olas and perfectly positioned to people watch while enjoying your meal. It also has the reputation of being a reasonably priced restaurant for this area.

The lunch menu was limited but the regular menu was available. We were offered to sit outside in the ninety degree heat at high noon, which we politely declined. Inside the place was bustling. The atmosphere was a bit chaotic and loud.

On the menu today was a Meatball Parmigiana Panini, and a Meat Stromboli paired with some iced tea for the heat. The meatballs were firm, small and tasty. The bread was fresh, toasted perfectly, and slathered with mozzarella. This was drenched in their house marinara sauce which was simply scrumptious. The sandwich was good on it's own merits but come on, it's a meatball sub, right? Adding their marinara sauce made the difference pushing it over the edge from an average sandwich to a masterpiece. The stromboli was also very good, the ingredients fresh and the dough thin and not filling. On the side was served a generous portion of that magic sauce. The stromboli didn't need it. The peppers, onion, sausage, and cheese were blended nicely into a not-too-filling gastronomic experience.

The service was adequate, nothing to write home about, but not bad. The rest of menu looked good and the pizza looked like it was worth a mention. The prices were reasonable for The Boulevard, $9 for a Panini, and $10 for a Stromboli. They tag you with an 18% gratuity, so don't over tip.

Normally, this place is a people watching mecca for the cost conscious. The view, the food, the aura of Las Olas. It's nice to see Cafe Europa keeping up with the quality of the food. Good job Cafe Europa. I will be back.

Cocktails & Dreams

South Floridians have been familiar with names "Big Daddy's" and "Flanigan's" since 1959. This comfortable, hometown, raw bar, pub, and restaurant has been a South Florida staple for four decades. Joseph "Big Daddy" Flanigan passed away in 2005 but Junior has done a admirable job of keeping the family namesake going. This family establishment has 21 locations exclusively in South Florida. They originally started off as a nightclub chain and eventually branched off into a chain of liquor stores and restaurants. Little known Flanigan's fact: the company is actually a publicly traded company on the American Stock Exchange (ASE) under the symbol BDL.

Think Ribs, Burgers, Chicken Wings, Fish Sandwich, Fries and of course, Beer. My favorites are the Ribs and Blackened Tuna Hoagie. The ribs are baby back, fall-off-the-bone, with a tangy barbecue sauce, served with a side dish. The sandwiches also come with a side. Anything you order as an entree comes with your choice of their signature baked potato, fries, cole slaw, dirty rice, black beans and rice, or vegetables. In the increasing world of everything being ala carte, it's nice to see them continuing to throw in the side.

Lunchtime is Flanigan's time. they offer a $4.99 lunch deal: a 10 Ounce Burger with Fries, BBQ Chicken Half with fries, Pasta Salad with Crab, Tuna or Chicken Salad, BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Fries, Ten Wings with Fries, Soup & Sandwich or Soup & Salad. Available Monday - Friday, 11am-4pm, with a beverage purchase. This is a plum of a lunch special.

Usually I order the Blackened Tuna Hoagie with a Baked Potato on the side or the Ribs. The tuna is always cooked medium with peppers, onions, and cheese. The potato is salted and wrapped in tin foil and always comes out right. The ribs are what people know Flanigan's for and they deliver. Get a half, or a full rack and the meat will melt in your mouth. Incredibly, any Flanigan's location you go to clones these ribs to the molecule and they always taste the same - great.

Flanigan's is loud, dark and relaxed. They have a full service bar, and can almost pass themselves off as a sports bar-but not quite. I keep Flanigan's on my short list. They are open late, diverse menu, good service, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Visit Flanigan's for a meal you will appreciate. I highly recommend it.

Hot Diggity Dog

I went to a Red Sox game last month in Boston and ate my first Fenway Frank. I got to thinking about the large number of of hot dog shacks that have risen out of the woodwork in the past few years. Luckily, for South Floridians there is the Dogma Grill.

Lets get down to the basics here: an all beef hot dog, poppy seed roll, and 15 variations of toppings. Not enough? How about a turkey or veggie dog instead of the beef? I go for the New York City Dog which is a beef dog on the poppy seed roll with brown mustard and sauerkraut. If the 15 variations are not enough, they will be happy to create one of your own choice. They do hot dogs right here with all natural fresh ingredients.

I originally went to the shack on Biscayne Boulevard and 71st Street in Miami about five years ago for their outstanding chili. This chili is not traditional style which is normally hearty and chunky. Dogma's chili is smooth and creamy with a consistency of a thick paste. They top it with onions, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, and fresh jalapeños.

For sides, they offer: Onion rings, french-fries, or homemade chips, plain, or topped with chili, cheese, and/or garlic. The garlic is fresh and liberally applied. I like garlic best on the chips. for a unique libation, they offer a homemade mint lemonade which is simply delicious.

Since my first visit, they have expanded to three locations, North Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and the original in Miami. The prices are fairly reasonable, averaging about $4 for a well equipped dog or a bowl of chili, and about $2-3 for fries and the lemonade. I now frequent the Ft. Lauderdale location on Federal Highway and SE Ninth Street.

Pay Dogma Grill a visit and see if their "Frank Philosophy" is for you. They are open from 11am to 8pm in most locations.

Eat hard tacos while you still have teeth

Moe's Southwest Grill was on the short list for today's lunch in east Ft. Lauderdale on the 17th Street Causeway. Any place that names it's burrito the "Triple Lindy" deserved a lunch date from my office. In addition to the "Triple Lindy" (Back to School), you have the "Joey Bag of Donuts" (My Cousin Vinny), and the "Art Vandalay" (Seinfeld). Okay, they have catchy names but can the food match Moe's wit?

While I normally stay away from fast food chains, Moe's Southwest Grill is an easy exception. Normally, I leave burrito's at Taco Bell; however, Moe's takes the Tex-Mex style to a new level. They offer several varieties of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and salads, and they all have catchy names based on famous movie and television shows.

On any menu item you pick beef or chicken and add black or red pinto beans with rice being optional. You can surround this base with a hard shell, soft shell, burrito shell or salad. I had a chicken burrito with pinto beans and rice, made by an enthusiastic employee who enjoyed producing his craft. As you slide down the assembly line, you are overwhelmed by a variety of fresh toppings. I topped my overstuffed log with fresh jalapeños, fresh cilantro, lettuce, onion, salsa and took a side of Moe's fresh guacamole.

Once I shelled out a very reasonable $8 for my combo that included tortilla chips, the side of guacamole and a drink, I was face to face with the salsa bar. Moe has four salsa's up for grabs. I preferred the green tomatillo sauce, but he has hot, medium and mild red salsa's to suit all peculiarities and tastes.

Moe's has location's in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach and are nationwide. They have a winning combination of menu items and do it all right. Check out Moe's online here. I thoroughly enjoyed Moe's and you will too.